Russian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Igor Kalabukhov stated that he “got acquainted with the” farewell “interview of the United States (U.S.) Ambassador to BiH, Eric Nelson (Eric) for several editions”.
”I can’t ignore some of his remarks.”
A colleague claims: “The Russian ambassador even said last year that Russia would not allow BiH to join NATO.” To put it mildly, this is an incorrect interpretation. Frankly, that’s a lie.
The benefits of joining NATO
”For Mr. Eric Nelson and all those who reacted hysterically to the statement in question, I repeat. Russia, unlike Washington, does not impose foreign policy priorities on BiH. BiH, which we consider a friendly country, has the sovereign right to choose. But if the choice is in favor of joining NATO – although it is clear that there is no consensus in the country on this issue and the current situation is fundamentally different from the 2000s – Russia has every right to react to this hypothetical development in accordance with its national interests, ” said Ambassador Kalabukhov, as published on the Facebook page of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in BiH.
The continuation of the statement is related to the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
”Probably everyone has already understood what kind of circus our western partners staged around the so-called removal of the High Representative (HR). Without a United Nations (UN)Security Council resolution, this place is vacant.
Not to mention that the Steering Board, under pressure from Washington, violates not only the spirit but also the word of the Peace Agreement, each time distorting its text in its statements.
Not only we but also observers in the West claim that the OHR is fatal. I can refer to a recent article by the first HR, Carl Bildt, who – and he knows what he is talking about – called for the closure of the OHR and the end of the archaic foreign protectorate in BiH. To offer Bosnians and Herzegovinians the opportunity to agree on their own.
“Beyond a reasonable doubt”
Isn’t it obvious that the continued presence of the OHR is destabilizing the situation not only in BiH but in the entire region? But the blame is attributed, as usual, to a completely different person. Sanctions are applied as part of “teaching”, without trial or investigation. At the same time, those who are now looking forward to the recently introduced restrictions should keep in mind that they can also be affected – if Washington wants to punish someone “for corruption” – the statement noted, adding:
”And where is the famous “beyond reasonable doubt”? Or is there no need to burden yourself with evidence in relation to the “natives”?”
One can imagine a strict teacher in a cylinder with stripes and stars, who beats unscrupulous students on the fingers with a ruler until they “fulfill the set conditions and enrolls in a European school…”
He then referred to the “malignant influence of Russia”.
”Every time I hear this, I get the strong impression that something “malignant” has happened in the minds of those who talk about it.
I would like to wish Mr. Nelson success in his future activities, ” it was concluded in Kalabukhov’s statement.
E.Dz.
